The night Gerry and the boys beat mighty Spain

Dawn had just broken over the Sidi Saler Hotel, Valencia after the glorious night of Friday June 25 1982. Yet the band was still playing and there were repeated renditions of "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes are Smiling". It was the party to end all parties after one of the great World Cup shock results - Spain 0 Northern Ireland 1.

Sweden 1958 had been the glory era when Peter Doherty and Danny Blanchflower's squad reached the World Cup quarter-finals but this game eclipsed everything.

Little Northern Ireland had defeated the host nation thanks to Gerry Armstrong's goal early in the second half - a goal which is now part of Irish football folklore.

Northern Ireland topped the group with four points - one ahead of Spain, who also won through to the second phase with the other 10 qualifying teams.

Armstrong, most likeable of men with a phenomenal recall of matches and incidents, can describe in perfect detail how he got that dramatic winner in the fanatical and intimidating atmosphere of the Luis Casanova Stadium.

Spanish players introduced rough house tactics with vicious tackles, elbowing, body checking - the entire gamut of foul play.

The move began when Gordillo, stockings round his ankles, attempted a pass to Lopez-Ufarte which Armstrong intercepted, gained possession and powered into the Spanish half. His short pass found Billy Hamilton on the right; he shrugged off his marker before whipping the ball into the goalmouth.

Explained Armstrong: " It was low and I just couldn't reach it but fortunately the Spanish goalkeeper Arconada came off his line and palmed it straight into my path. I decided to keep it low and hit it right foot into the net. The silence from the Spaniards was astonishing and it wasn't until I noticed several Irish players running towards me that I realised we had scored."

The injured Sammy McIlroy had to be replaced by Tommy Cassidy who, like the others was inspired, while Pat Jennings can only be described as the goalkeeper supreme in the face of an incessant Spanish onslaught.

Never do I remember after decades of covering Northern Ireland games tensions similar to that generated by this one.

Mal Donaghy and Camacho began entangled on advertising hoardings and to the surprise of everyone the Paraguayan referee Hector Ortiz red carded the Luton Town defender.

Millions watching on television were gripped by the drama and the pounding which the Northern Ireland side was taking yet they defied it all - even an amazing last minute Jennings save came out of the textbook.

He recalls: "The ball almost landed on Juanito's head but I sensed if I made contact I might be penalised so I simply tipped it over him and dived to retrieve it."

The drama was not over even at the finish. Armstrong and Sammy Nelson, a substitute for teenage sensation Norman Whiteside, were selected by FIFA to undergo the drugs urine sample test.

Armstrong remembers: "It took me an hour and a half before I could provide a couple of millimetres. I drank water, beer, champagne - any liquid that was available until I succeeded."

Players would not leave the stadium in their coach until Gerry had finished the marathon while, on arrival at the hotel Jimmy Hill the TV pundit stood waiting at the entrance with a tray filled with champagne bottles and glasses. It was his thank you to Northern Ireland for, against all the odds, he had predicted a 1-0 win.

"What a night!" said Armstrong.

"We were all so exhilarated even after the party we couldn't sleep. Most of us sat out on the balcony and saw the dawn contemplating what we had achieved - the history that had been made."

l Teams that night: NORTHERN IRELAND: Jennings; J Nicholl, C Nicholl, McCreery, Donaghy, M O'Neill, McIlroy (Cassidy), McClelland, Hamilton, Armstrong, Whiteside (Nelson).

SPAIN: Arconada, Camacho, Tendillo, Alexanco, Gordillo, Sanchez, Alonso, Saura, Juanito, Satrustegui (Quini), Lopez-Ufarte (Gallago).